How to Travel the World for Free and Save Money: 20 Tips & Tricks

For years, everyone has asked me: How do you afford to travel the world year round?

I do so because I rely on travel hacks, go to affordable countries, spend responsibly, make travel a priority and much more.

I’m always trying to explain how traveling can be inexpensive and sometimes cheaper than where you currently live. I also do whatever it takes to keep living this lifestyle.

Here are a few tips and tricks that I have used throughout the past 4.5 years and that you can learn about to get started on your journey:

1. House Sitting through Trusted Housesitters
   
   There’s usually 5,000 to 10,000 options to choose from. They are located all over the world. I have saved well over thousands of dollars by housesitting in the US and internationally. In exchange for taking care of their pet(s) or plants, I stay there by myself, for free. Some are mansions by the sea, farm houses, apartments in cities and more. The length of the stays vary but I have seen some for up to 10 months. To get started, sign up (click here for my discount code of 25% off or use ALEXA25), and start creating your profile. I offer guidance on how to create a professional, reliable, and unique profile. If you are interested, please send me an email at alexa@feelingflytoday.com. 
   

2. Credit card bonuses 
   
   Majority of the time, I fly using my miles. I only pay about $5 for taxes. I have used my points to travel to Japan, Vietnam, Hawaii, Portugal, Morocco, and all throughout the United States.
   
   Protip: Some credit cards offer a free membership to airport lounges. What do airport lounges have? Lots of free food and a stress free way to wait for your flight. Some credit cards also offer to pay for your baggage fees, a $300 travel credit, rental car insurance, and my favorite benefit, a Global Entry and TSA Precheck membership.
   
   I recommend the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Preferred, Venture Capital One, or the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select. 
   

3. Free hotel nights
   
   Keep track of every hotel you stay at. Make sure they are linked to a rewards program and/or your credit card for 2-4x points. After comparing prices on several platforms, I tend to lean towards Hotels.com or booking.com to get a free night every 10 bookings, free upgrades or free breakfast. 
   

4. Facebook groups, pages and marketplace
   
   I have gone to events that offer free food or items. I’m also a huge fan of Facebook Marketplace. People are constantly trying to get rid of their things at no cost. Need a suitcase or backpack? Look there first. This is also a great place to meet other travelers who sometimes have been to that area for a while and know of free things to do. I usually join several Facebook Groups before I arrive in that town. Search digital nomads, female travelers, solo travelers + the town of city and a few usually comeup! I recently found a gig through a Facebook group that allowed me to stay somewhere for a few weeks for free in exchange for creating Instagram reels for their company. If you put in the time and effort, you will find something! 
   

5. Free walking tours 
   
   This is a good way to meet other travelers, a local (usually the host of the tour) and get oriented with the area. What area has affordable food? Do they know of any events? What is the best local restaurant with traditional food? Bonus: you’ll learn a lot about the history of the place. 
   

6. Volunteering/work exchange-Workaway
   
   There are several work exchange websites: WorkAway, HelpX, Worldpackers, or WOOF. I love Workaway and have volunteered all over the world thanks to them. No previous experience necessary but if you have a certain skill set you can have your pick at the best placements. Most recently, I spent 6 months in Hawaii because of the opportunities I found through Workaway. There usually is a fee to get started but think of the long term benefit. Sign up with Workaway here to receive one month of your membership for free. 
   

7. Couchsurfing
   
   I couchsurfed through Vietnam and didn’t pay a single cent on my accomodation. CouchSurfing is a social networking service and hospitality exchange service by which users can request homestays or interact with other people who are interested in travel. I used Couchsurfing as a way to meet people and stay at a local’s house for free. I only once slept on a couch. All the other times I stayed in a spare bedroom by myself!
   

8. Take advantage of an overbooked flight
   
   Have you ever checked in for your flight and were told the flight is overbooked? Have you been waiting at the gate and they say on the intercom, we are offering travel vouchers for people who can take the next flight? Take advantage of this if you can. You can receive a large amount of money (sometimes up to $1,000) or a ton of airline points.
   

9. Be super grateful and respectful
   
   You might be surprised but I have received so many free things because of this. I may just be lucky but I also think it has to do with how I act with certain people. Interact gratefully with whomever you are receiving something from. You never know what could happen. 
   

10. Use a refillable water bottle
    
    If you’re going somewhere and plan on buying water bottles all the time yet complain about how you can’t afford a nicer hotel or meal, you’re doing it wrong. I know people who spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on water bottles when there are so many ways you can get water for free. Make this a priority, for the environment and yourself, and save your money. 
    

11. Go to a accomodation that offers free breakfast
    
    Protip: Snag a banana and peanut butter and jelly sandwich for a snack or lunch. 
    

12. Don’t be afraid to ask 
    
    Ask and you shall receive. This is one of my favorite mottos and it has helped me get better deals, discounts, free upgrades, extra food, extra help, and so much more.
    

13. Never fly without adding your miles to a rewards program 
    
    As a college athlete, I traveled almost every weekend during the season to another state. I was able to stack up a lot of miles throughout the 4 years. Create a spreadsheet of all of the airlines you use and keep track of your miles. You’ll eventually have enough for a free flight.
    
    Protip: Make sure they don’t expire. Call the airline to see if they can extend the expiration date. Alaska Airlines recently added 1 mile to my account so I didn’t lose my miles.
    

14. Don’t check in baggage. Travel light. 
    
    This will keep your hands free, and my favorite reason, it’s easier to jump on the back of a motorbike instead of waiting for a taxi. Once you start to travel light and realize how much money you usually spend on baggage, you’ll be so happy you made this change. 
    

15. Travel to cheaper places
    
    Keep in mind that a week in NY can equal a few weeks in Vietnam or elsewhere! 
    

16. Student discounts
    
    Many museums let you enter for free if you have a student ID
    

17. Hostel tip - Take advantage of free food that gets left behind in the communal kitchen. I have found bags of rice and pasta with free signs on them. Share with your new friends and enjoy!
    

18. Walk as much as you can 
    
    Transportation costs quickly add up and can be saved for something else! 
    

19. Create an income while traveling through freelance gigs
    
    Upwork is a great site to find work. A few other options are: Freelancer, Flex Jobs, Guru and even Craigslist. I found one of my remote clients through Craigslist!
    

20. Plan ahead and do your research 

This will help you avoid tourist traps (which generally cost more), figure out which neighborhood is the most affordable, how to take public transportation instead of a taxi or uber/lyft, see if traveling during the off season is the better option, make sure you’re not waiting until last minute to get visas or any other important documents. 

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If you have anything to add or any questions about this topic, please let me know in the comments below.